SUPPRESSION OF CRACKS IN INXGA1-XSB CRYSTALS THROUGH FORCED-CONVECTION IN THE MELT

It was demonstrated that forced convection or mixing in the melt durin g directional solidification of bulk InxGa1-xSb (0 < x < 0.1) ternary alloys significantly reduces cracks in the crystals. In this study, th e enhanced mixing in the melt was generated by a rotating submerged ba ffle. The resultant improvement in spatial compositional homogeneity l owers the strain gradient or chemical stresses; thus eliminating crack s. The results presented are generally beneficial and should also impr ove the crystalline quality of other mixed alloys. (C) 1998 Elsevier S cience B.V. All rights reserved.